Great-West Life Disability Insurance Reviews

We bought GWL competitor disability insurance for my husband 12 years ago, it was the biggest waste of money we have ever made. A year ago at age 56 he had a severe pain caused by a cervical disc herniation and found out that he had severe deterioration of several discs in his neck and upper back that would not allow him to work as he can't lift, climb a ladder or scaffolding or extend his neck. We were shocked when we were told this is not covered, is this not the reason you buy disability insurance in the first place. Do not buy this insurance it is a huge waste of money, this policy should not be sold to anyone. I guess this is why insurance companies are so rich. DO NOT BUY GWL INSURANCE

My experience with GWL has been nothing but awful. I'm currently out on disability (have been since Nov.), and all they have done is give me the run around. They paid my claim up to Dec. 2 and refused to pay further. I started the appeal process right away and have still gotten no where with them.
The customer services is a joke. The person that I deal with doesn't even pretend to care. On multiple occasions, she's said "I'll look over your information or whatever and get back to you." Whatever? Really? Talk about lack of professionalism. She has also flat out lied about faxing out important documents to my doctor to fill out.
Ex. She said she had faxed a questionnaire for my doctor to fill out to move the appeal process along. I then found out that she didn't fax it until 6 days after my conversation with her. She misspelled my name on part of the questionnaire and put on it symptoms that I never said I had.
As of today, I left her a message informing her that I knew she was lying and that if my claim is not approved by the end of next week, I'll be going above her.
My advice: Avoid GWL like the plague and spread the word that they are a company that doesn't care about helping people. If you are unfortunate enough to have to deal with them at some point, just remember: They want to wait you out and force you back to work. Don't let them. Stay on top of your claim and call them daily.

I have the worst experience in my life with GWL! My doctor gave me a document according to which I need to stay in bed rest because there is a risk for my unborn baby. GWL made me wait for nearly two months without an income and then called me to tell me that my claim has been declined. They said that my condition wasn`t as severe as my doctor suggests!!! I am still waiting for the refusal letter so that I could appeal and eventually apply for sickness benefits through EI. I feel terrible and really depressed from the way they treated me. On top of everything I owe them $246 every month in order to keep my health benefits active. Where will I find this money if I haven`t had any income for two months now? I used to use Sun Life and was very happy with them but unfortunately the company I work for has a contract with this terrible GWL and I`m outraged.

GWL does not care about their customers. They will screw you over any chance they get. Please if you haven't decided on a insurance provide read all the reviews and know everyone has the same experience. I have had to major Spinal surgeries and no quality of life. I can barely manage to get through each day even while off work and help from my family and friends however GREAT WEST LIFE has decided I am all better and can work now. I guess my Spinal fusion, degenerated discs and significant scoliosis is all better because someone who has never asked "how I'm feeling" knows more then my doctors and myself. Please take heeded of all these reviews and save yourself the headache and stressed. I completely sympathize for each person who has dealt with the majority heartless workers. Also the only way GREAT WEST LIFE has any stars on their rating is because you have to choose at least one before submitting a review. Just another example of their crooked ways. Good luck if you are a customer you will need it.

Filing for disability is no easy task. My medical Dr. filled out paperwork and indicated a brain tumor, When I spoke with the adjudicator he stated there was no brain tumor I read the paperwork out loud to him since it was copied. The adjudicator then stated,"Oh, I did not know that was a brain tumor."

I then asked him what his qualification were since I can read and he cannot. He stated the Doctor did not send out enough information (complete lie).

Now I have no income and need it to start medication for anti-seizures prior to brain surgery so I guess I have to delay brain surgery.

The reason this company is successful is because they search for reasons and ways to deny claims, stall them and make a sick person's life more miserable than what it has to be.

Case manager tells me we can help you see a specialist earlier then a couple days later tells me we won't help you because it won't save us any money

I've been constantly harassed with requests for forms and reports. After I sent one thing they claim they need something else.

I had little to no communication with the case manager

Now that they only pay for my life insurance premiums, they continue their harassment of request for forms and report to the point that it almost costs me more to pay for all those forms and reports than the actual insurance premiums they pay